{NM Daily}

Matthew Singer, the new men’s fashion director of Neiman Marcus Group, started this week!

He’ll be providing trend direction to the company’s men’s wear buyers, spanning men’s wear markets including Designer, Sportswear, Tailored Clothing, Contemporary, Furnishings, Men’s Accessories and Men’s Shoes. He’ll be based in New York, where he already lives. And since we love a good baptism by fire, he is already off to Europe, to represent NM and sibling store Bergdorf Goodman at the Pitti Uomo fair in Florence and the Fall/Winter runway shows in Milan and Paris. He’s a seasoned retailer, so he’s already made this journey about a dozen times.

What’s your packing strategy for this two-week trip? Key items?

Organization is key.  I lay everything out, put a few outfits together, and fill in the blanks.  A key item for me is a navy sport coat. I can get a lot of mileage out of one jacket, changing it up with a pocket square or tie.

What are your expectations and hopes for the shows?

For me, the shows never get old!  It always feels like it’s my first time. The lights go out, the music starts, and out comes the fashion. I always hope to pick up on trends and get inspired. The shows haven’t let me down yet.

What’s your favorite leg of the trip?

I can’t pick a favorite. Each city gets me excited—Pitti in Florence, runway in Milan, and boutiques in Paris.